Rob Murphy

Thats the new attitude. Competition is too tough and struggles are to be avoided.

Nice workouts by the way.

Great story Rob. I met Clinton at an event before he was president. Can't say that I would never say anything bad about him though...

There is a big push in Florida to permit better access to AP classes instead of requiring students to meet certain threshold criteria. So even if "Amber" is an average student with low standardized tests scores, her parents successfully argue she should still have the right to sign up for the more rigorous courses. Evidently this is resulting in tons of students performing poorly in the classes and a huge percentage not passing the AP exams.

I would have killed for the opportunity to take AP U.S. History in high school. I grew up in a small town in southern Arkansas, and despite adequate resources and the absence (as in zero) of AP courses, I was still fortunate to be turned on to History by a great U.S. Government teacher, Larry Horseman, who was an institution for decades in my little community. I actually went on to major in History at the University of Arkansas, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I also have a "meeting U.S. Presidents" story. While interning and working with the Clinton Presidential Library back in November 2004, when the Library was completed and opened to an audience mixed with dignitaries, pols, celebrities, and FOBs (Friends of Bill), I was fortunate to meet and tour the the new facility with then President Bush, his father, Clinton, Carter and Gore. The dynamics of the group were fascinating, with Clinton and the elder Bush seemingly connected at the hip, and genuinely enjoying each other's Company, while President Bush and Gore chatted amicably with Carter keeping mostly to himself.

I was personally affected because I had, for better or worse, been critical of President Bush's policies, hawkish rhetoric, etc., but I was so impressed with him on a very basic level...the way he actually projected interest when asking me where I was from and shaking my hand, his easy-going nature with Gore and the other former Presidents, and other subtle actions. Subsequent to that meeting, I may have continued criticizing certain Bush policies, but always with a caveat...he seems like a very solid human being.

Bret - I'll bet if Clinton had said really nice things about one of your girls you might think a little differently?

Wesley - I really enjoyed that story. Definitely one of the best I've read on this blog. You know, one of the biggest problem I have these days with politics/government is the constant demonization of the other side and the questioning of motives. Most of the politicians I've met are decent people who are really trying to the best they can.... and there definitely has to be a bond between presidents. Pretty exclusive club.

A lot of what you write about is familiar to me. My mom is from a little town in Northern Mississippi (Ripley) and I spent many summers there growing up.

Rob - sure if he made nice comments. Creepy nice - no. (My girls are intern age.)

Bret - oh yeah, forgot about that. Carter's 86 years old though. I think our daughters are safe.